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THE DETAILS. “One of the main features of Z-DNA, however, is that it twists the double helix in the opposite sense of B-DNA. Negative supercoiling stabilizes Z-DNA. However, if a large segment of Z-DNA then converts back into B-DNA, it will impart considerable twist to the DNA and further increase its negative supercoiling. A change in the supercoiling would be evident not only nearby but also at considerable distance away from the DNA.” https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-94-009-7052-6.pdf View in LinkedIn

BIOLOGICAL FUNCTION. “The effects of methylation on gene expression suggest that Z-DNA may be involved, especially since methylation favors Z-DNA stabilization.” https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-94-009-7052-6.pdf View in LinkedIn

THE FOREGROUND. “We have detected anti Z-DNA antibodies in MRL mice. A strain of mice which is known to develop a lupus-like disease.” https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-94-009-7052-6.pdf View in LinkedIn

THE BACKGROUND. “Antibodies against nuclear components have been found in certain pathological states. In the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus a variety of antibodies have been identified against various nucleic acid components.” https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-94-009-7052-6.pdf View in LinkedIn

BIOLOGICAL RELEVANCE. “Antibodies have been used to demonstrate the existence of Z-DNA in vivo.” https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-94-009-7052-6.pdf View in LinkedIn

SURPRISE FINDING. “It has been shown that Z-DNA can exist in the same molecule with B-DNA. This was shown by cloning oligo(dG-dC) into plasmids and then isolating segments containing both the plasmid DNA and the oligo(dG-dC).” https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-94-009-7052-6.pdf View in LinkedIn

THE FACTORS. “Because of increased phosphate-phosphate repulsion forces the left-handed helical structure is inherently less stable than B-DNA in a physiological salt solution. In view of the equilibrium between the two forms, it is clear that a number of components in the environment could stabilize Z-DNA.” https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-94-009-7052-6.pdf View in LinkedIn